Mrs Hudson says… | Suggestions for a heritage half term!

Every month, Mrs Hudson along with her three children and Dinky the Irish Wolfhound investigate the best family and dog friendly heritage attractions that the UK has to offer.

It feels like five minutes ago that the children headed back to school, it was a big change for us as Florence took the leap into secondary school – I can’t believe I have a secondary aged child! It makes me feel a little old if I’m honest. If you share in my existential crisis, let’s spend some time this October half term immersing ourselves in heritage attractions that will make us all feel a bit younger! From fun and educational workshops to activities your dogs can join in too, here are our top suggestions for heritage things to do this October half term.

For London and the South East

Syon Park
Brentford TW8 8JF

There are a host of activities taking place all over half term at Syon House and Park. Located on the outskirts of London, the house has Tudor origins and is the London home of the Duke of Northumberland. It was also the former site of a medieval monastery and has several fascinating royal connections, including being the site where Lady Jane Grey was offered the crown and where Catherine Howard was held after her deadly falling out with Henry VIII.

Over half term there are lots to keep you entertained, all with a spooky twist. On 25^th, 26^th and 27^th October, you can be entertained by Creepy Critters thanks to Zoolab; Gory Gravy, Ghastly Guts and Gunpowder – a live performance where you can learn more about the gunpowder plot and Syon’s connection to it and a chance to meet author Leslie Feore as she reads her new book, Antonia’s Pumpkin. If that isn’t creepy enough, you can also spend the 27^th with the onsite forest ranger trying to evade zombies. Your dogs can even join in the fun with Howl-o-ween on the 28^th October. Reschudeled from their previous Syon Bark event, Howl-o-Ween is a chance to bring your dogs to Syon House and raise money for charity, there are even prizes for the best dressed dogs! We’ll certainly be bringing Dinky, though we will need to try and make him scary, he’s too much of a softy to be frightening anyone!

Following on from half term, if you’re around for Halloween, the house is hosting its Halloween Sunday Funday on 29^th October which is sure to be full of treats rather than tricks!

Canterbury Cathedral
Kent CT1 2EH

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Canterbury Cathedral is well worth a visit and as England’s first cathedral is a must for anyone interested in history.

Once you’ve explored everything there is to see inside and around the grounds, join in with their Oh What A Knight LEGO masterclass – it’s a chance to join with professional LEGO artists to create an army of knights inspired by those that would have been see at Canterbury during the Medieval era.

Arundel Castle
West Sussex, BN18 9AB

While the name might make the kids burst into renditions of Let it Go, Arundel is actually a place in West Sussex and has been the family home of the Dukes of Norfolk for thousands of years. This October half term is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the castle’s fascinating history with their History Man tours which are taking place throughout the week. Following a costumed guide who remains in character throughout, you can learn more about the castle through the ages and uncover some of its secrets, all included with your entry!

There will also be a chance to meet some of the characters of the castle throughout history – also in costume, these characters will tell you about the castle’s sieges, the crusades and  the knights, archers and servants who have called the castle home. You can even have a go at archery, hear the tunes of the Medieval era and watch a falconry show!

For East of England

Holkham Hall
Norfolk NR23 1AB

With a 25,000 acre estate on the coast and featuring an elegant Palladian style house, there is plenty to explore at Holkham Hall, even without this month’s fun and games. During half term (21^st-29^th October), the estate will be opened daily from 10am – 5pm and you can get involved with several activities including meeting a selection of weird and wonderful creatures, carving pumpkins and weaving your own spider webs!

Additionally, you can join in with Holkham Stories, explore the hall with a Haunted Hunt and get creative in the old kitchen to create a bat to take home with you.

Want more opportunities to get spooky? The hall are also hosting a series of film screenings as part of their Adventure Cinema programme – on 24^th October you can watch Ghostbusters, on 25^th October you can catch Hocus Pocus and on 26^th October the cult classic, The Lost Boys is showing.

Knebworth House
Hertfordshire SG3 6PY

Set in 250 acres of beautiful countryside, Knebworth has been the home of the Lyttons for over 19 generations and has provided shelter for notable people including Winston Churchill, Elizabeth I and Charles Dickens. You might even catch a glimpse of their spirits with their half term Halloween Adventures, which are running on 24^th, 25^th and 26^th October.

With Halloween games, sculptures, a themed crazy golf course, pumpkin competitions, broomstick workshops and more, there is fun for the whole family here.

For North East England

Temple Newsam
Leeds LS15 0AE

There is over 500 years to discover at Temple Newsam, including some ghostly goings on with their Halloween Hauntings event which runs from 28^th October – 5^th November. It’s a chance to meet some of the creepier residents of the estate and to create some themed arts and crafts.

It isn’t just the kids that can have some fun at Temple Newsam over half term, there’s also a Ghosts of Temple Newsam tour aimed at the grown ups too!

Lotherton
Leeds LS25 3EB

With a heritage country estate and a wildlife zoo, this is a great option for family days out over half term but if you want more, there’s a Spooky Skeletons Trail taking place throughout the day from 27^th October. Don’t forget your Halloween costumes!

For Scotland

Gosford House
East Lothian, EX32 0PX

The mansion of the Earls of Wemyss can be found on the south side of the Firth of Forth. There is a fascinating history to be uncovered at the house and some lovely gardens to explore, which you can do as part of Wondrous Woods – an illuminated trail through the private woodland – it’s certainly a fun new way of exploring the gardens! Sadly Dinky won’t be able to join us for this one as only assistance dogs are welcome and there are relaxed performances planned for anyone with additional needs.

Looking for more fun things to do over October half term? You can see a host of Heritage events here. You might even spot me, children and dog in tow!